Off the road tyres
The challenge of Off the Road (OTR) tyre disposal presents an opportunity to rethink waste management and create sustainable solutions that benefit both industry and the environment.
OTR tyres are heavy-duty tyres designed to withstand extreme off-road conditions. They play a crucial role in industries such as mining, agriculture and aviation. End-of-life OTR tyres pose a significant waste management challenge due to their large size, complex composition, and the remoteness of sites that use them.
In NSW, approximately 24,000 tonnes of end-of-life OTR tyres are generated annually. However, only 9-11% of these tyres are recovered, a stark contrast to the 90% recovery rate for passenger, truck, and bus tyres. This discrepancy highlights the urgent need for action.
We commissioned an OTR Tyre Recovery Options Investigation and have prioritised opportunities which will enhance the management of end-of-life OTR tyres in NSW.
Initiatives overview
| Initiative | Description |
|---|---|
| Managing OTR Tyres | The EPA is taking a stewardship approach exploring options with all stakeholders to better manage end-of-life tyres. |
| Supporting Stewardship | Continue to support tyre extended producer responsibility scheme/s. |
| Government procurement | Leverage initiatives that drive NSW Government procurement of recycled materials (including tyre derived products) through the Choose Circular Program |
| Infrastructure analysis | Complete an analysis of tyre processing capacity across NSW and explore options to enable advanced resource recovery technologies. |
| End-market demand investigation and forecasting | Identify opportunities and develop long-term demand forecasts for recovered OTR tyre materials such as crumb rubber, and devulcanised rubber. |